99 Hobbies

We were delighted to hear about WSPR from Joe Taylor, K1JT. The passion that drives people to excellence is always here, but in this hobby we get to share and enjoy the fun, too! In fact, the WSPR project (pronounced like "whisper") would not even work unless other hams and SWLs joined in!Listen to K1JT at Masscon

Today I spent some time at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH. It was the dedication of a new ham radio station, with the call letters KA1SKY, which will be used as a hands-on exhibition about the radio spectrum, space, and the invisible magic that attracted many of us to science and electronics.I spoke with two of the (many) people who made this happen, and my thanks to Dave McDonald and Michael Crestohl. We talked about how all of this came to be, and also some ideas for you, in case you want to duplicate their results in your own community.Update!  Check out the Center's web page discussing KA1SKY at http://www.starhop.com/education-and-exploration/ka1sky.aspxThis fully functional HF/VHF/UHF/Satellite amateur radio station is a unique exhibit that demonstrates and uses a part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The radio allows voice transmission and Morse code on thousands of frequencies of various wavelengths. With the guidance of volunteer amateur radio operators, you can tal

This year at Dayton, my friend and Official 99 Hobbies Field Correspondent Cal, WA1WOK made a quick recording of a conversation he had with Gordon West, WB6NOA. This one is a quick two minutes, but you can get an idea of the buzz in the background, and feel for the energy present at this event!(photo: pacificon.org)

This is the fourth presentation that we listened to during the Masscon 2010 event in Westford, MA USA during the weekend of March 12-13, 2010. Chuck Kitchin, N1TEV, presents "Updating Classic Regenerative and Super Regenerative Circuits" to an enthusiastic audience at Masscon. Part of the fun of this presentation, of course, is the associated materials presented via overhead projector. But you can get most of the content from the audio portion that we present here.The advance materials described the talk like this:Modern components allow Hams to modify the classic regenerative and super regenerative designs of the past. Ham radio experimentation is an excellent electronics teaching tool (as well as being FUN) and can lead to new discoveries in radio communications. This talk will cover the theory and modern applications of these classic circuits.We are glad that they used the word "fun" because this presentation was great for so many reasons, and it really was fun, too!Conference materials can be found he

This is the second presentation that we listened to during the Masscon 2010 event in Westford, MA USA during the weekend of March 12-13, 2010. The only way to appreciate the full effect was to be sitting in the audience. However, you can get an idea of what it was like if you listen to this, while watching the overhead slides from the talk, which are available from www.masscon.org.Dave Siegrist NT1U and Bruce Beford N1RX discuss the design and construction and testing of RF filters.Conference materials can be found here.

I was delighted to be in the audience during the Masscon 2010 event in Westford, MA USA during the weekend of March 12-13, 2010. My friend Scott Andersen, NE1RD, put the event together, and it represents over a year of planning and preparation by Scott and his staff.The podcast you are about to listen to is one of the presentations given during this convention. The only way to appreciate the full effect was to be sitting in the audience. However, you can get an idea of what it was like if you listen to this, while watching the overhead slides from the talk, which are available from www.masscon.org.There is something indescribable that happens when you have a room full of people who share a passion. Hopefully you will hear it.Allison Parent, KB1GMX, presents at Masscon 2010.You can view the slide show here while you listen to the presentation.Conference materials can be found here.

Today I talked with Jeff Johnson, VK4XJJ on the phone about his cross-country walk.He had ham radio along for the ride -- among other things.Jeff was raising money for charity in the process of this 2,500 km "walkabout".Show notes (many lifted from Jeff's site):www.jeffswalk.comeBook now available. Five months backpacking over 2,500kms across Oz with 5W FT-817nd US$5.DeafBlindAssociation (NSW) Inc.www.dbansw.org.auOther DeafBlind LinksWalking Club LinksWirelessInstitute of Australia Magazines

Today I talked with Cal, WA1WOK about D*STAR. We discussed the past, present, and future of the hobby (AM, SSB, digital modes) and specifically how D*STAR fits in.You can get in on the ground floor of this new part of amateur radio, if you want to. Listen in and you will get an idea of what to expect with this new mode, with the help of guys like Cal who can show you the ropes.Show notes:http://www.dstarusers.orghttp://www.dstarinfo.comhttp://www.washcoares.org/d-star/index.htmlhttp://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/dstar/Promotional video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8PYZOc9L9oCal's email address is his callsign at arrl.net

I stopped in Richmond, VA on the way to Florida, and visited the Richmond Frostfest 2009. It was a decent-sized hamfest held on the international raceway. I talked to several very interesting people who have done some unusual things with ham radio. This was a lot of fun!Show notes:Dominion DX Group web siteARRL listing for local clubsK-9 Alert Search and Rescue Dogs, IncVA Dept. of Emergency Management - Terry's email addrZuni Maritime Foundation

I talked to quite a few people at the Orlando Hamcation 2009, covering lots of ham radio subjects, as well as some not-so-technical things. What a great time, and in the winter sun! Kick back and enjoy this one. It's a little long, nearly 25 minutes, but close your eyes and pretend that you are in Florida.....Show notes:www.ten-ten.orgwww.lidomounts.comwww.farcircuits.netwww.hamtestonline.comBrenda's Catering

This morning I joined our monthly breakfast with the PART radio club. I had a chance to interview Kimberly Stewart, KB1PZG, who was licensed in February of this year. She is bright, articulate, and shows an obvious passion for the hobby. I think we will be hearing a lot about her as the years go by.Links: PART of Westford: www.wb1gof.org

Last November I spoke with Rich Mitchell, N3III about his award-winning article in QST in November, 2007. It is always memorable when you are speaking with someone who has such passion, and also who loves the hobby like this. This one was so much fun I couldn't stop. Run time is long.Rich is http://www.qrz.com/n3iiiNovember article in QST (won the Cover Award for the month) (you may need to be an ARRL member to access this)http://www.arrl.org/qst/2007/11/mitchell.pdf

Tonight I had a nice chat with Joe Fairclough, WB2JKJ. Joe is the president of the Radio Club at JHS 22 in New York. We discuss the club and what they do, and also talk about how you can get involved. A great story.This one is a little longer than usual, and worth every second.Show noteswww.wb2jkj.orgApple Slices Newsletter is at home.triad.rr.com/michaelbest/

Have you ever thought about doing your own podcast about amateur radio? It's easier than you may think. I discussed this with Mark Jensen, KB2EGB, who just recently returned from a podcasting exposition. Mark gives some tips and suggestions about how you can get started making podcasts!

I was shooting the breeze with my friend Joe, WY3T, on the telephone and the subject of PSK came up. You guys know Joe already (previous podcast)Joe had told me about his recent foray into the digital modes. While we were talking, I asked him if I could turn on the podcast machine to record this conversation, and what you hear now is the answer. Awesome. Very fun.Show notes:CQ magazineRigblaster

Hi Everyone.I'm back from my summer in China and surprisingly adjusted to the difference in time zones pretty well. My wife and my dog are getting used to my being back home in New Hampshire, and I am excited about seeing my dog again, and being able to get on the air.I'm just playing around with you. It's wonderful to be back home, for more than a thousand reasons, not the least of which is to see my lovely N1TMZ face-to-face again. We used VoIP, POTS, email, and internet chat using Skype, 9y.com, and some others. A LOT. I missed her while I was gone.I would like to say thanks to everyone who've emailed me, asking where the podcasts went, and 'when are they coming back?' It is gratifying to know that so many of you enjoy these podcasts. One listener told me, "I listen to you on the train every morning on the way to work." Another guy from Romania sent me email asking when the podcasts will start back up, because he has a translator who knows English, and he wants her to download the podcasts.

Today I talked with Joe, Wy3T, about getting on the air on an HF net. There are many new HF operators out there, and you may be wondering how to contact new HF friends. Have you ever tried to do this? Check out this podcast.Show noteshttp://www.ecars7255.com

Today I spoke with my friend Scott Andersen, NE1RD, about some of the things that he has done in the 12 months since we talked on 99 Hobbies last year. His "100 pound DXpedition" has taken him many places, and has been a true learning experience -- not to mention a lot of fun. Join me for this one!Show noteshttp://100pounddxpedition.blogspot.comhttp://dxpedition-vp2m.com/http://www.monserrat.co.uk/

Do you need to be a land baron to operate on 160 meters? Not according to Don Boudreau, W5KFX. Today we talk about some of the reasons why the Top Band can be a lot more fun than many people think, not the least of which is DXing on 160.Show NotesTopband? No Way!... But Never say Never, Feb 2007 QST, p.52The Delta DX Association, www.deltadx.net

Tom Baker, NC6B, talks to me about the first- of- its- kind skills class that he teaches at Moorpark HS, near Ventura California. The Radio Amateurs and Disaster Operations (RADIO) teaches skills that include amateur radio, First Aid training, CPR training, Defibrillator, and SERT/CERT certification. They promote the idea that "Teaching our students about preparedness better prepares our community."Photo is Tom (at left, NC6B) with principal Miyashiro (N6LKI).Show notesGreat article in the Ventura County Star at http://tinyurl.com/s44z9The High School's web page is at http://www.mhsweather.org/ and click on RADIO